Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, today patronized the ceremony marking the end of the first phase of the project for fire-proof tents at Mina, where pilgrims spend three days. Minister of Public Works and Housing Prince Me'teb Ibn Abdul Aziz explained that this first phase represents only 25 percent of the project. There are now 10,830 fire-proof tents, which can house 500,000 pilgrims. A total of 37 factories worldwide, including in Saudi Arabia itself, provided the materials needed for the production of the tents, which are made of fiberglass covered with teflon. Over ten thousand tons of galvanized iron were used for tent poles, pegs, and fittings. In addition, 10,000 desert air conditioners were made available to complement the project.

Meanwhile, a number of other ministers have completed inspection tours of the facilities for the pilgrims, including Commerce Minister Osama Faqih, who announced arrangements for a number of private companies to prepare meals outside the area of the holy places, to be carried in and sold to pilgrims.